Contradiction with Genesis 6:5
Ecclesiastes 7:29 states God made man upright, but Genesis 6:5 describes man's wickedness on earth was great and every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
Genesis 6:5: And GOD saw that the wickedness of man [was] great in the earth, and [that] every imagination of the thoughts of his heart [was] only evil continually. [every...: or, the whole imagination: the Hebrew word signifieth not only the imagination, but also the purposes and desires] [continually: Heb. every day]
Contradiction with Romans 3:23
Ecclesiastes 7:29 suggests uprightness, while Romans 3:23 declares all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, implying a universal sinfulness instead of initial uprightness.
Romans 3:23: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Contradiction with Jeremiah 17:9
Ecclesiastes 7:29 implies man's original uprightness, but Jeremiah 17:9 states the heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure, suggesting an inherent flaw.
Jeremiah 17:9: The heart [is] deceitful above all [things], and desperately wicked: who can know it?
Contradiction with Psalm 51:5
Ecclesiastes 7:29 indicates humans were created upright; however, Psalm 51:5 claims people are sinful from birth, challenging the idea of original uprightness.
Psalm 51:5: Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. [conceive...: Heb. warm me]
Paradox #1
The verse highlights that humans have gone astray after being created upright. Some may see a contradiction with the belief that humans have a sinful nature from birth due to original sin, suggesting a conflict with the idea of being created upright without inherent sin.
Paradox #2
Ecclesiastes 7:29 mentions that God made humans upright, but they have gone in search of many schemes. A possible contradiction might arise when comparing it with the concept of original sin from Genesis, which suggests that humans are inherently sinful from birth. This could conflict with the idea that humans were made upright or righteous initially.
Paradox #3
The contradiction or inconsistency of this verse might lie in its portrayal of human nature as fundamentally upright or virtuous. This perspective can conflict with other biblical passages or interpretations that emphasize the inherent sinfulness or flawed nature of humanity due to original sin. Different parts of the Bible sometimes offer varied perspectives on whether humans are naturally good or sinful, leading to potential contradictions in interpretation.